Battle begins for control of Stockport council

A total of 82 candidates will fight it out for 21 seats in this year’s local elections on May 3. Lib Dem and council leader Dave Goddard will aim to retain his seat in Offerton, while Labour leader Andy Verdeille will contest Reddish South.

A total of 82 candidates will fight it out for 21 seats in this year’s local elections on May 3.

Lib Dem and council leader Dave Goddard will aim to retain his seat in Offerton, while Labour leader Andy Verdeille will contest Reddish South.

A number of candidates are standing down – Stella Humphries in Bredbury and Woodley, the current Mayor of Stockport, Les Jones, in Heatons North, Anne Graham in Reddish North and Chris Walker in Brinnington and Central.

Another high profile candidate is former Stockport County FC Trust chairman Norman Beverly, who will contest Reddish South for the Lib Dems.

The Lib Dems, which have no overall control, currently have 29 councillors, Labour has 17, Conservative 12 and there are five Independents.